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[[Category:Weapons]]
[[Category:Weapons of Vietnam]]
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! rowspan=2 | [[Ammo]]  
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|[[File:Flag_us_new.png|50px]]<br><strong>[[US]]</strong>|| [[File:M601.png|512px]]<br><b>[[M601]]</b> || [[File:Weapon m601.svg|512px]] || [[File:Class_Assault.png|50px]] <b>[[Assault]]<br> || 20[[+1]] / 60
|[[File:Flag_us_new.png|50px]]<br><strong>[[US]]</strong>|| [[File:M601.png|512px]]<br><b>[[M601]]</b> || [[File:Weapon m601.svg|512px]] || [[File:Class_Assault.png|50px]] <b>[[Assault]]<br> || 20[[+1]] / 80
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! rolspan=2 | [[Weight]]
! rolspan=2 | [[Weight]]
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|[[M601]]||[[Assault Rifle]]||Auto+Semi||750 RPM||7.17° & 1.15° [[ADS]]||0.955||960 m/s||12.3 g (189.818 gr)||2.89 kg (6.37 lbs)   
|[[Colt Model 601]]||[[Assault Rifle]]||Auto+Semi||750 RPM||7.17° & 1.15° [[ADS]]||0.955||960 m/s||12.3 g (189.818 gr)||2.89 kg (6.37 lbs)   
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! rowspan=2 | [[Weapon Script Name]]
! rowspan=2 | [[Weapon Script Name]]
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|Colt AR-15 Model 601||5.56mm||[[USA]]||1959||Colt||20 in (508 mm)||39 in (991 mm)||weapon_M601
|Colt AR-15 Model 601||[[5.56mm]]||[[USA]]||1959||Colt||20 in (508 mm)||39 in (991 mm)||weapon_m601
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=HISTORY=
<hr>
Colt's first two models produced after the acquisition of the rifle from ArmaLite were the 601 and 602, and these rifles were in many ways clones of the original ArmaLite rifle (in fact, these rifles were often found stamped Colt ArmaLite [[AR-15]], Property of the U.S. Government caliber .223, with no reference to them being M16s).


The 601 and 602 are virtually identical to the later [[M16]] rifle without the forward-assist. Like the later M16 rifle their charging handle was re-located from under the carrying handle like AR-10 to the rear of the receiver. They were equipped with triangular fore-stocks and occasionally green or brown furniture. Their front sight had a more triangular shape. They had flat lower receivers without raised surfaces around the magazine well. Their bolt hold open device lacked a raised lower engagement surface and had a slanted and serrated surface that had to be engaged with a bare thumb, index finger, or thumb nail because of the lack of this surface. Their fire-selector was also changed from upward = safe, backward = semi-auto and forward = full-auto, to the now familiar forward = safe, upward = semi-auto, and backward = full-auto of the M16 rifle.
'''The M601''' (Colt Model 601) is an early AR-15–pattern 5.56×45mm/.223 rifle produced by Colt after it acquired the AR-15 design from ArmaLite. It is best known for its “slick-side” receiver (no forward assist), early-pattern features (including triangular handguards and distinctive early furniture), and its role as a direct predecessor to the later [[M16]] family. In ''Military Conflict: Vietnam'', the tables above list its in-game values pulled directly from the weapon script.


The only major difference between the 601 and 602 is the switch from the original four grooves, right-hand 1:14-inch (1:355.6 mm or 64 calibers) rifling twist rate to the more common four grooves, right-hand 1:12-inch (1:304.8 mm or 54.8 calibers) twist. This was done as the original 1:14-inch twist rate to just stabilize the 55 grain bullet used in the 5.56 Ball M193 cartridge under unfavorable conditions could induce too much yaw and due to the resulting excessive in flight bullet destabilization become inaccurate. The one turn in 12 inches increased accuracy and was optimized to adequately stabilize the M193 ball and longer M196 tracer bullets.
==HISTORY==
<br>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArmaLite_AR-15 SOURCE]<br>
Go here to read about [https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-evolution-of-the-colt-model-601/ The Evolution Of The Colt Model 601]
<hr>


After ArmaLite sold the AR-15 rights to Colt in 1959, Colt’s first major production model was the **Model 601**, which entered serial production around late 1959 and continued into the early 1960s. Early 601/602 rifles closely followed the original ArmaLite pattern and were often marked “Colt ArmaLite AR-15” rather than “M16,” reflecting the transitional period before the M16 designation became standard. The Model 601 is generally distinguished by its early “slick-side” upper (no forward assist) and a variety of early-production external details that were refined on later M16-family rifles.


<gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
A commonly cited technical difference between early Colt AR-15 production runs is barrel twist rate: early rifles used a **1:14** twist, while later rifles shifted to **1:12** to better stabilize the standard 55-grain ball (M193) and tracer projectiles across a wider range of conditions. These incremental changes—along with later durability and maintenance-focused updates seen on Vietnam-era M16 variants—reflect how the platform evolved from early AR-15 production into the standardized U.S. service rifles of the Vietnam War period.
File:Kennedy-colt-601-crossbow.jpg|President John F. Kennedy and Military Aide Gen. Chester V. Clifton examine a Colt Model 601 rifle and crossbow in the White House’s Oval Office in April 1963.
File:Colt-armalite-ar-15-model-601-cutaway-right.jpg|Right side view of a Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 cutaway that reveals details of the rifle’s gas tube, the left handguard’s single heat shield and the early Edgewater buffer. Photo courtesy of the Institute for Military Technology
File:Ar-15-model-601-green.jpg|Left side closeup of Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 Serial No. 001081. The rifle’s original green painted furniture has been replaced by black painted furniture.
File:Female-volunteer-paratroopers-colt-601.jpg|Indonesian female volunteer paratroopers armed with Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 rifles - June 1965.
File:Navy-seal-colt-601.jpg|A U.S. Navy SEAL armed with a Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 is seen here during a training exercise on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands on February 21, 1963. Photo by Marion S. Trikosko/US News and World Report Collection/PhotoQuest/Getty Images
File:Colt-601-2-840.jpg
</gallery>


===Sources===
* https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/the-evolution-of-the-colt-model-601/ The Evolution Of The Colt Model 601 | American Rifleman
* https://pullig.dyndns.org/retroblackrifle/ModGde/RflGde/601.html RetroBlackRifle: Model 601 Guide | RetroBlackRifle
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArmaLite_AR-15 ArmaLite AR-15 (Colt Model 601/602 history) | Wikipedia
* https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/colt-ar15-model-601-automatic-rifle/451457 Colt’s AR-15 Model 601 Automatic Rifle | Firearms News


<hr>
<hr>


<div class="mw-collapsible" style="border:1px solid #ccc; padding:5px; width:100%;">
  <div style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold;">Real-Life Photos</div>
  <div class="mw-collapsible-content" style="margin-top:0.5em;">
    <gallery mode="packed" heights="400px">
File:Kennedy-colt-601-crossbow.jpg|President John F. Kennedy and Military Aide Gen. Chester V. Clifton examine a Colt Model 601 rifle and [[crossbow]] in the White House’s Oval Office (April 1963).
File:Colt-armalite-ar-15-model-601-cutaway-right.jpg|Cutaway Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 (right side), showing early internal details.
File:Ar-15-model-601-green.jpg|Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 with early-pattern furniture (example shown repainted/changed).
File:Female-volunteer-paratroopers-colt-601.jpg|Indonesian female volunteer paratroopers armed with Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 rifles (June 1965).
File:Navy-seal-colt-601.jpg|U.S. Navy SEAL with a Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 during training (Feb. 21, 1963).
File:Colt-601-2-840.jpg
    </gallery>
  </div>
</div>


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Latest revision as of 07:48, 24 February 2026

Factions Weapon Icon Classes Ammo

US
M601		 Assault
 20+1 / 80
Damage Base Headshot × Chest × Stomach × Leg × Arm × Bayonet Rifle Grenades Reload Speed
Partial Empty
37 ×2.5 = 92.5 ×1.2 = 44.4 ×1.15 = 42.55 ×0.8 = 29.6 ×0.75 = 27.75 YES NO 2.366 Seconds 3.166 Seconds
Designation Weapon Type Fire Modes Fire Rate Bullet Spread ° Range Modifier Muzzle Velocity Projectile weight Weight
Colt Model 601 Assault Rifle Auto+Semi 750 RPM 7.17° & 1.15° ADS 0.955 960 m/s 12.3 g (189.818 gr) 2.89 kg (6.37 lbs)
Full name Caliber Place of Origin Date Manufacturer Barrel Length Total Length Weapon Script Name
Colt AR-15 Model 601 5.56mm USA 1959 Colt 20 in (508 mm) 39 in (991 mm) weapon_m601


The M601 (Colt Model 601) is an early AR-15–pattern 5.56×45mm/.223 rifle produced by Colt after it acquired the AR-15 design from ArmaLite. It is best known for its “slick-side” receiver (no forward assist), early-pattern features (including triangular handguards and distinctive early furniture), and its role as a direct predecessor to the later M16 family. In Military Conflict: Vietnam, the tables above list its in-game values pulled directly from the weapon script.

HISTORY

After ArmaLite sold the AR-15 rights to Colt in 1959, Colt’s first major production model was the **Model 601**, which entered serial production around late 1959 and continued into the early 1960s. Early 601/602 rifles closely followed the original ArmaLite pattern and were often marked “Colt ArmaLite AR-15” rather than “M16,” reflecting the transitional period before the M16 designation became standard. The Model 601 is generally distinguished by its early “slick-side” upper (no forward assist) and a variety of early-production external details that were refined on later M16-family rifles.

A commonly cited technical difference between early Colt AR-15 production runs is barrel twist rate: early rifles used a **1:14** twist, while later rifles shifted to **1:12** to better stabilize the standard 55-grain ball (M193) and tracer projectiles across a wider range of conditions. These incremental changes—along with later durability and maintenance-focused updates seen on Vietnam-era M16 variants—reflect how the platform evolved from early AR-15 production into the standardized U.S. service rifles of the Vietnam War period.

Sources

Real-Life Photos
  • President John F. Kennedy and Military Aide Gen. Chester V. Clifton examine a Colt Model 601 rifle and crossbow in the White House’s Oval Office (April 1963).
    President John F. Kennedy and Military Aide Gen. Chester V. Clifton examine a Colt Model 601 rifle and crossbow in the White House’s Oval Office (April 1963).
  • Cutaway Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 (right side), showing early internal details.
    Cutaway Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 (right side), showing early internal details.
  • Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 with early-pattern furniture (example shown repainted/changed).
    Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 with early-pattern furniture (example shown repainted/changed).
  • Indonesian female volunteer paratroopers armed with Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 rifles (June 1965).
    Indonesian female volunteer paratroopers armed with Colt/ArmaLite AR-15 Model 601 rifles (June 1965).
  • U.S. Navy SEAL with a Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 during training (Feb. 21, 1963).
    U.S. Navy SEAL with a Colt/ArmaLite Model 601 during training (Feb. 21, 1963).
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